MyPlate

What the plate looks like for kids

MyPlate splits a plate into four parts: vegetables, fruits, grains and protein foods, with dairy as a cup or small bowl on the side. Fruits and vegetables together fill about half, and grains and protein each take about a quarter. For a preschooler, that might be soft broccoli and apple slices, a small scoop of brown rice, a few pieces of chicken, and a cup of milk.

Think in days, not single meals

Not every meal needs every group. If breakfast has no vegetable, add fruit, and bring the vegetables in at lunch, dinner or snack time. Across the day, aim for about half of what your child eats to be fruits and vegetables, and make at least half of the grains whole grains.

Using it with little ones

MyPlate is built for ages 2 and up. For younger children, the same food groups still help you plan, with softer textures and much smaller portions. Toddlers rarely eat a neatly balanced plate. Serve small amounts from three or more groups, include one food your child usually eats, and let your child decide how much. A divided plate can help, but an ordinary plate works just as well.

Drinks with the plate

MyPlate pairs meals with milk or water rather than sweet drinks. For children over 12 months, plain milk with meals and water between them is an easy routine. For the fruit group, whole fruit is a better pick than juice.

Read more

• What Toddlers Actually Need to Eat

References

1. Nemours KidsHealth: A Guide to Healthy Food & Eating Well
2. USDA and HHS: Dietary Guidelines for Americans